The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission, officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park on September 1, 2026. This new cluster is dedicated to emerging fields such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, and is jointly led by top local and international academic and research institutions. The initiative underscores Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and global collaboration networks, promising tangible societal benefits and reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony was officiated by prominent figures including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP; Mr Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Lyu Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP. They were joined by representatives and scholars from local and overseas universities, international research organizations, and industry partners to witness the launch and explore the cluster's R&D roadmap and industrial application prospects.
HKSTP, described as the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, will provide comprehensive professional support to the R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK. This includes world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, investor networks, and matchmaking with funding and industry partners. The goal is to empower teams to transform breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions.
Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, highlighted the significance of the milestone: "InnoHK has been with the Science Park for 5 years and this is the start of the second 5-year period. What we can see is that InnoHK has demonstrated the power of collaboration amongst world eminent scholars, researchers, and global partners. The first two clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK have delivered world-class achievements. We commit to provide all the support we can to the InnoHK teams, as your success will add to the heartbeat of the ecosystem—not only for HKSTP, but for Hong Kong's entire innovation landscape."
The eight R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK have brought together over 30 top global universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Notably, three centres feature collaborations with Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) from the University of Groningen, participating in the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov (2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics), known as the "Father of Graphene" from the National University of Singapore, serving as principal investigator for the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics) from Nagoya University, participating in the InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar lineup highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages in assembling world-class research talent and fostering cross-border collaboration.
InnoHK is a flagship I&T initiative of the HKSAR Government aimed at developing Hong Kong into a global hub for scientific research cooperation. It encourages world-leading universities and research institutes to conduct collaborative research with local institutions by establishing R&D centres in Hong Kong. Together with Health@InnoHK (focusing on healthcare technologies) and AIR@InnoHK (focusing on AI and robotics), the three clusters will enrich Hong Kong's scientific landscape, accelerating technology transfer, startup incubation, and industry growth.
The eight centres include: InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM), which aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0; InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); InnoHK Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT); InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES); InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC); InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET); and InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMARTCentre). These centres will focus on areas such as AI-driven manufacturing, energy materials, semiconductor technologies, space manufacturing, renewable energy, and smart grid systems, with the potential to drive significant economic and societal impacts.
The establishment of SEAM@InnoHK is expected to bolster Hong Kong's position as a global I&T hub, attract international talent, and foster innovations that could address pressing global challenges in sustainability and advanced manufacturing. For more information about HKSTP and its initiatives, visit www.hkstp.org.
